Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-03-03
VERY PRIVATE"
The Engagement" Between Aleck
Fanshawe and Louise.

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Fanshawe and Louise.
It was in the autumn that the news
of the loss of the ship Albatross reached
the small town of Haven. She had
foundered on her way to Calcutta, and
Aleck Fanshawe was on board as super
cargo.
1T isn't as though Squire Fanshawe
hadn't other sons" commiserated a
neighbor, when the blinds were pulled
down and Grape tied on the knocker at
the big stone mansion, and prayers
were offered in church for the bereaved
family and friends. Every body in
town, so to speak, turned out to church
on that September morning to see how
the family took it, and to be able to
criticise the funeral sermon. The Fan
shawes had been gay, worldly crowd,
and this was their first sorrow, and
those who had seen them in prosperity
and joy wanted to behold the effect of
the reverse; but they proved to be a
family who did not wear the heart on
the sleeve; they conducted themselves
bravely behind their weeds, and re-
strained their tears till they might flow
in private The only excitement of the
occasion, however, was worthy of the
expectations of their friends. The fam
lily filed into church, black as grief and
Grape could make them. There was
John and his mother, Sue and Hide
garde; but who was this other on the
old Squire's arm, bowed with emotion,
more sable than them all, in widow S
vail and capp WhoP Why, it was only
Louise Turner, whom they had always
known. Why was she in widows weeds
and on the Squire's armp What had
happened to her? There was lively
gossip, you may be sure, that day on
the way home from church.
81 remember he was kind of attent.
i've to Louise Turner one spell" re.
Elected Mrs. Ames.
That's so," echoed Mrs. Blake
Don't you remember he took her to {
concert over to Danversp He has al
ways known her; and like as not there
Was something between them"
$50 he has always known every 9th
er girl in town." said Mrs. Blunt, tn,
skeptic; land he has been just as at
tentive to half dozen others, as far a
can see"
Eyes" acknowledged Mrs. Ames, re
luctantly, che was attentive to all o
them on and off; but then man ma,
be attentive to dozen, you know
while he only cares for one. It
odd; Il woman couldn't do it; it woul,
bore her horribly-that is, unless She
a iiirt"
"Well, of course it's true" sighe
Mrs. Blunt, ''or else she wouldn't b
in widows weeds and in the Squire
pew; but she's the last girl l though
Aleck would care for. can't reconcil
myself To IL,
The interest and surprise of thi
event seemed to subtract somethin
from the solemnity of the occasion.
was not so wonderful that Aleck Far
Shave should die as that he shoul
have been engaged to Louise Turner
and nc one ever have guessed it.
perplexed and disturbed Mrs. Blunt
she could hardly tell why. Perhar
she was disappointed that Aleck shoul
have cared for such shallow girl a
Louise; and then surprise has an irr
tating effect upon some natures. Sh
upbraid herself for having so little syn
patty for Louise in such a tremendou
sorrow. Louise was pretty; every bod
said Louise was pretty, and young me
are easily pleased. Doubtless it ha
occurred at the last moment before h
departure, and Louise had waited fo
his return to declare it. Aleck ha
been the best match in town, and, low
aside, this was great blow for Louis
with whom every body was bound
sympathize. But Mrs. Blunt was di
satisfied with the quality as well s
quantity of her own sympathy.
1T seems" said neighbor. WI
happened in to talk it over-''it seen
that Louise heard the rumor an
rushed up to Squire Fanshawe's
know the truth, and when it was yer
fed she went straight into hysteri'
and confessed that they had been pr
vately engaged. OF course the Squil
adopted her into the family at one
They bought her mourning, the vel
best, and l dare say they'll give h
Alexis property-you know he had
fortune from his own mother, Il
Squire's first wife. "
Have you heard that John refuse
TO believe it at first ?" asked Mr.
Blunt.
Yes; he scds little stiff at first;
never liked Louise. YOU know.
lit seems to me / shouldn't want
take II on trust as they've done.
should want to zee letters IN his ov